Steam iron



J. L. VIECELI Nov. 25, 1952 STEAM IRON Filed May 27, 1948 QW).Qm/mm/mmmw ww NN @N @1N QN W WN .Q L W @w ww e@ W m w l wm ,mw m uw n@ lR, N.

G M Lw Patented Nov. 25, 1952 UNITED STATES;

A'ENT QFFICE STEAM IRON Illinois Application May 27, 1948, Serial No.29,542

(Cl. 35S-77) 3 Claims. 1

The present invention relates to steam irons and more particularly tothat class of steam irons known as the flash boiler type of steam iron,which include a steam generator and a valve controlled water supply.Specifically, the present invention is an improvement on one feature ofthe arrangement disclosed and claimed in copending Jepson application,Serial No. 29,461 filed concurrently herewith and assigned to the sameassignee as the present application.

In steam irons of the flash boiler type water is fed to a steamgenerating chamber, preferably defined in the sole plate of the steamiron, at a rate which allows the water to be flashed almost instantlyinto steam-hence the term ash boiler type of steam iron. The generatedsteam is distributed to the material being ironed by means of ports orthe like which communicate with the steam generating chamber and open onthe ironing surface of the sole plate. Irons of this type are usuallyprovided with thermostatic means responsive to the temperature of thesole plate and selectively controllable to maintain the sole plate at aselectively controlled temperature depending upon the material to beironed.

In irons of this type it is, of course, desirable that the valve forcontrolling the flow of water to the steam generator remain closed untilthe iron reaches its ironing temperature to insure instantaneousflashing of the water into steam. In steam irons heretofore employeddifficulty has been encountered in obtaining sufficient flow of water tothe steam generating chamber after the sole plate has heated up toironing temperature, but before the water in the reservoir associatedwith the iron has been heated substantially. In the above mentionedcopending Jepson application there has been disclosed anarrangementwhereby in addition to the needle valve control for the flowof water from the reservoir to the steam generating chamber there isprovided a bypass or passageway which is valve controlled to insure thebuild-up of a small amount of pressure in the reservoir of the iron sothat satisfactory ow of water to the steam generating chamber occurs assoon as the sole plate has been heated to ironing temperature. Thepresent invention is particularly concerned with an improvement on thevalve controlled by-pass for permitting such operation.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a newand improved steam iron.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a new andimproved steam iron in which 2 a steady supply of steam is provided assoon as the sole plate is hot, without the requirement of waiting untilsteam is produced in the reservoir to force the water into the steamgenerating chamber.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a combinedneedle valve control and bypass arrangement for properly controlling thewater ow from the reservoir to the steam generating chamber of a steamiron.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent as the following description proceeds, and the features ofnovelty which characterize the invention will be pointed out withparticularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of thisspecification.

For a better understanding of the present invention reference may be hadto the accompanying drawing in which:

Fig. l is an elevational view partly in section of a steam ironembodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on line 2--2 of Fig. 1 assuming thatFig. 1 shows the complete structure;

Fig. 3 is a partial sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 1 assumingagain that Fig. 1 shows the complete structure; and

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 1, also assumingthat Fig. 1 shows the complete structure.

Referring now to the drawing, there is shown an embodiment of thepresent invention in the form of a steam iron generally designated at I0comprising an electrically heated sole plate ll. The sole plate isheated by an electrical element I2 which preferably is of the sheathedtype. Briefly, it comprises an electric resistance conductor mounted inan outer metallic sheath and supported in spaced relationship inreference to a sheath by an electrical insulated heat conducting massformed of a suitable material such as a highly compressed magnesiumoxide. The heating element I2 is preferably embedded in the sole plate Ii which latter is provided with an upright rib i3 in which the heatingelement I2 is received.

For the purpose of defining a steam generating chamber which is in closeheat transfer relationship with the heating element I2 or at least withthe rib I3 in which the heating element I2 is disposed, the frontportion of the sole plate II is provided with a well or chambergenerally designated at I4 and best shown in Figs. 1 and 4 of thedrawing. This chamber I4 is defined within the closed end of the rib I3which is of somewhat U-shaped configuration. The top of the steam 3generating chamber I4 is dened by a cover plate I5 which is suitablyrelated to the rib I3 t0 provide a sealed chamber I4.

Centrally disposed in the steam generating chamber I4 is a raisedsomewhat circular portion I6 forming an integral part of the sole plateII and having integrally formed therewith rearwardly extending legs orbaille members IGa and IGb so as to divide the steam generating chamberI4 into a series of passageways. The raised portion I6 is provided onits upper surface with a circular recess I1 exposing the upper end of atapped bushing I3 which is integrally cast into the sole plate In Viewof the fact that the steam generating chamber I4 is closely coninedwithin the closed end of the U shaped rib I3 which houses the heat ingelement I2, water supplied to the recess -|`I dened in the raised memberI6 is adapted Ito be substantially instantly changed into steam and :toypass through suitable notches formed in the wall defining the recess IItoward the rear portion of the .steam generating chamber I4. This steamvmay pass around the ends (not shown) of the baille members ISa and IIEbinto passagcways 22a and 22'b which join each other at lthe end 'of thesteam :generating chamber I4 adjacent -the front vof the steam iron I0where there are provided a plurality of ports 23 which connect the steamgenerating chamber I4 with the Vironing surface 'of the sole plate II.To be sure that only steam and no water may pass through the ports 23these ports open into the steam generating chamber I4 at the top surfaceof a raised V .shaped member v24., also integrally formed with the soleplate yI I., consequently, the ports opening -on :the ironing surfacelof the .sole plate II are arranged in a lsort of V shaped conguration.'Preferably also the ends of the ports or steam passageways 23 'at thesurface of the sole plate :are of somewhat enlarged diameter -asldesignated by the reference numeral 23a in Fig. 1 Aof the drawing.

The rear portion of the sole plate I I is provided with Va suitable well(not shown) for accommodating a suitable thermostatic control device forcontrolling the temperature yof the sole plate II. r=l`he particulararrangement of the thermostatic control device in the well of the soleplate II is fully disclosed in the above mentioned copending Jepsonapplication.

In order that the steam generating chamber I4 maybe provided with asource of water which is flashed .into ysteam in the steam generatingchamber I4, there is provided la water reservoir generally designated at2.5 which has an external configuration closely approaching the size andshape of conventional irons. In other words, the reservoir 25 does nothave such an exterior dimension as to make the steam iron appearunusually large or bulky as is the case with many steam irons nowavailable on the market. Preferably the reservoir 25 is formed from apair of sheet metal stampings comprising a bottom member 25a and a topmember 2519 which are suitably joined to form a sealed container. Forthe purpose Yof permitting control connections to be made between thewell in the sole plate referred to above and portions of the steam irondisposed above the reservoir 25, a suitable passageway 2S is providedthrough the reservoir `which pas sageway is defined by a somewhattubular member 27, the upper `and lower ends of which are sealed to thetop and between members 252; .and 25a respectively to prevent any dangerof lealiage of water from the reservoir 25. In addition to thepassageway 26, the reservoir 25 is provided with a pair of openingsdesignated as 28 and 23 respectively. rEhe opening 28 is dened in thewall 25h near the front of the iron and is adapted to receive acylindrical steam dome 30, the lower end of which is suitably sealed tothe wall 25D so as effectively to provide a steam dome extending asubstantial distance above the top of the reservoir 25. The opening 29on the other hand is disposed in alignment with a tapped opening denedin the bushing I8. This opening 28 is furthermore formed at the bottomof a somewhat cone y.shaped .indentation 3| in the bottom wall 25a ofthe water reservoir 25, as is clearly shown in Figs. l and '3 of thedrawing, thereby providing a good seal `between the tank 25 and a valvebody 32 of a needle valve and furthermore aiding in aligning the tank 25and the sole plate during assembly thereof. The needle valve comprisingthe valve body 32 and a `needle valve member 33 is provided 'to controlthe iiow of water from `the reservoir 25 to the steam generating chamberI4. The needle valve body 32 comprises a conical surface yforVengagement with the indentation 3| rand further includes a threadedextension adapted to engage with the tapped opening in `the vbushing I8.Effectively, therefore, ythe valve 4body 32 performs three functions;(l) it includes the valve seat for the needle valvc member 33 to bedescribed hereinafter, (2) it provides suitable 'means for fastening thetank or reservoir 25 to the vsole plate I I, and (3) it provides meansfor holding the cover plate I5 of the steam generating chamber I6 inposition. The external surface vof the needle valve body 32 extendinginto the reservoir 25 is of circular-conguration as best'shown in lFig.3 'of the drawings so as to be readily insertable Athrough an opening inthe top of the steam dome 30. Preferably the valve -body 3| is providedwith a screw driver engaging slot 34 whereby a screw driver insertedthrough an opening in the top of thesteam dome may be employed whenassembling the reservoir 25 on the sole plate II which `-is ldone in asimple manner after the tank 25 and the steam dome 30 have beencompletely assembled. The valve body 32 is ypreferably provided with aplurality of substantially horizontally disposed passageways 36 throughwhich the water from the .reservoir v25 may enter the vneedle valve andflow along the surface of the needle valve .member 33. The valve body 3|further includes a passageway 3l which permits water ilowing through theneedle valve to pass rinto the recess I1, in the steam generatingchamber I4.

In order manually `to control in a selective manner the owof water fromthe reservoir -25 to the steam generating chamber I4 by means of theneedle valve comprising the valve .body 32 and the needle valve member33, the latter comprises an elongated member extending upwardly alongthe axis 'of the steam dome 30. The lower end of this member 33 istapered in the form of 'a conventional needle valve and is threadedlyengaged with the valve body 32 Vso as effectively to provide a needlevalve control with the flow of water being along the external 'surfacethereof. It will be. understood that rotation of the needle valve member33 in one direction will completely shut oi the flow of water from thereservoir .25 to the steam generating.; chamber I4 ina conventional wellunderstood manner. On the other hand rotation or' the needle valvemember 33 in the other direction will permit variable amounts of waterto flow into the steam generating chamber I4 depending upon the amountof rotation.

In the above mentioned copending Jepson application there is disclosed avalve controlled passageway interconnecting the steam dome 33 with thesteam generating chamber I4. This arrangement insures the satisfactoryflow of water to the steam generating chamber I4 as soon as the soleplate is hot enough for ironing purposes. The reason for this is that acertain amount of air is always left in the water reservoir 25 and assoon as the initial heating of the sole plate II occurs, there resultsan expansion of this air and the creation of some pressure within thereservoir 25. Preferably the valve controlled passageway permits apressure of approximately 11/2 pounds per square inch to be obtained inthe steam dome 30 before opening of the by-pass occurs. This arrangementis broadly disclosed and claimed in the copending Jepson applicationreferred to above.

In accordance with the present invention, a separate by-Dass passagewayis dispensed with and instead the needle valve member 33 is formed froma suitable tube so as to include a central passageway 40 along thelongitudinal axis thereof, thereby interconnecting the upper end of thesteam dome 3U and the st-eam generating chamber I4 independently of thepassageway afforded along the exterior of the needle valve member withinthe valve body 32. As illustrated the upper end of the needle valvemember 33 is telescopicallv related with a fitting 4I comprising aportion which extends out of the upper end of the steam dome 30. Thefitting 4I is suitably fastened to the upper end of the member 33 andincludes a lower tubular portion 4I@ connected by passageways 42 withthe space within the steam dome 30. To prevent the escape of steam fromthe upper end of the steam dome 35 it is closed by a suitable plug 43threadedly engaging the steam dome and including a suitable packingaround the portion of the fitting 4I which extends through the plug 43.Preferably a steam control button 44 formed of molded insulatingmaterial or the like is attached to the fitting 4I which extends out ofthe steam dome 33 by means of a screw 45 inserted through the top of thebutton 44 and threadedly engaging a tapped opening in the top of thetting 4 I.

In order to limit the open and closed positions of the needle valvemember 33 the control button 44 is preferably provided with a dependinglug 44a which engages a stop 33a illustrated as comprising an integralextension from the upper end of the steam dome 3i). The lug 44a engagesopposite sides of the stop 33a in the extreme open and closed positionsthereof.

In accordance with the teachings of the above mentioned Jepsonapplication the passagewai7 interconnecting the steam dome and the steamgenerating chamber is :provided with a pressure operated control valve.As illustrated in the drawing there is provided in the passageway 4i! aspring biased ball valve 4l normally biased by means of a coiled spring4S against a seat defined in the fitting 4I, so as effectively toisolate the passageway 4I) from the passageways 42. Preferably the ballvalve 4l is adjusted so as to require a pressure of approximately 11/2pounds per square inch within the steam dome 30 to open the same. Thisarrangement assures satisfactory water flow into the steam generatingchamber I4 as soon as the sole plate I I is hot enough for ironingpurposes.

It will be apparent from the above description that with the presentinvention the needle valve member 33 serves a dual function being both aneedle valve member and a by-pass or passageway for interconnecting thesteam dome 3i! with the steam generating chamber I4.

In accordance with the arrangement described in the above mentionedJepson application, the steam iron III includes a handle suitablyfastened to the remainder of the steam iron and a spacer plate 5Iinterposed between the handle 5U and th-e reservoir 25, which plate hasan opening 5Ia for the steam dome 30. The handle 59 further includes acored chamber 52 dened in one end thereof for receiving the steam dome30 whereupon the steam control button 44 extends slightly above the topof the handle 50 for ready ringer manipulation thereof. Preferably thesteam control button 44 is provided with a suitable extensioncooperative with an index point provided on the handle 53 so that theoperator may know at a glance in what position the steam valve is.

The cored chamber 52 also houses the means for obtaining selectivecontrol of the temperature of the sole plate I I and as is disclosed inthe above mentioned Jepson application the steam dome 30 is providedwith an upper portion 30h of reduced cross section so as to dene anannular shoulder 54. Concentrically disposed about the portion 30h ofthe steam dome and resting on the shoulder 54 is a rotatable cam member55 which is manually rotated by means of a temperature control button 56Concentrically arranged with the steam control button 44. A suitable camfollower 51 engages the rotatable cam 55 which cam follower isconstrained to move in only a vertical direction. The button 56 isprovided with a depending lug 58 which cooperates with a stop 59 formedas an integral part of the handle 50 within the cored chamber 52 tolimit the extreme portions of the cam 55.

The cam follower 51 is connected by means of a tension spring 6I), withsuitable thermostatic control means, not shown, disposed within a welldefined in the sole plate II, the interconnection extending through thepassageway 26 mentioned above. The details of the selective temperaturecontrol means described form no part of the present invention but aredisclosed and claimed in the above mentioned copending Jepsonapplication.

In view of the detailed description included above the operation of thesteam iron of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled inthe art. By virtue of the passageway 40 within the needle valve 33 asmall pressure not exceeding about 11/2 pounds per square inch isrequired within the reservoir 25 to insure the low of water between thereservoir 25 and the steam generating chamber I4. Furthermore thispressure is available as soon as the sole plate II is hot enough tobegin the ironing operation and it is not necessary to wait for steam toform within the reservoir 25 before proper functioning of the steam ironII! is obtained. When the needle valve member 4I) serves in its dualcapacity in accordance with the present invention a very simple andcompact arrangement is provided which is sturdy and fool proof inoperation.

While there has been shown and described a particular embodiment of thepresent invention,

7 it will be apparent to those skilled in the `ar't that variousmodifications and changes can be made without departing from the presentinvention in its broader aspects, and it is therefore aimed in theappended claims to cover all such vchanges and modifications as fallwithin the true spirit and scope of the present invention.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent ofthe United States is:

1. A steam iron comprising a closed water reservoir, a steam generatingchamber, a needle valve controlling the :dow of water by gravity fromsaid reservoir to said steam generating chamber, said valve comprising ava-lve seat and an elongated member with the valve means for controllingthe ow of water being disposed at the end of said member cooperatingwith said seat, the water flow occurring along the outer surface of saidone end, said member extending above said water reservoir to provide amanipulating member for said needle valve, means defining a passagewaythrough said member interconnecting the upper portion of said watervreservoir with said steam generating chamber, and

valve means in said passageway for maintaining 1 f Ia vpressure4differential between said water reservoir 'and said steam generatingchamber.

I2. A steam iron comprising a closed water reservoir, a steam generatingchamber, a needle valve controlling the flow of water by gravity fromsaid reservoir to 'said steam generating chamber, 'said needle valvecomprising a valve seat and an elongated member with the `valve meansfor controlling the flow of water being disposed 'at the end of saidmember cooperating with said valve seat, the water flow occurring alongthe outer surface of said one end, said member extending above saidwaterreservoir to provide 'a manipulating member for said needle valve,means defining a passageway through said member interconnecting the'upper portion of said Water reservoir with said 'steam generating 8chamber, and a valve member biased to the closed position disposed insaid passageway for maintaining a pressure differential between saidwater reservoir and said steam generating chamber.

3. A steam iron comprising a closed water reservoir, a steam domecomprising a tubular member connected to and extending above said waterreservoir, a steam generating chamber, a needle valve controlling theflow of water Aby gravity from said reservoir to said steam generatingchamber, said needle valve comprising a valve seat and a manuallymovable valve member in the form of a tube extending through said Waterreservoir and into said steam dome, one endv of said valve membercooperating with said valve seat means dening an opening in said tubeinterconnecting the passageway therein with said steam dome to providean interconnection between said -steam dome and said steam generatingchamber, and a valve means in said passageway to prevent saidintercommunication until 'a predetermined pressure is produced in saidreservoir.

JOSEPH L. VIECELI.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the nie ofthis patent:

